scholarly journals Restricting Marketing of Unhealthy Foods: Should General Internists Engage?

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norm Campbell MD ◽  
Tara Duhaney MHSc

Unhealthy diet is the leading risk for death, years of life lost, and disability, causing an estimated 65,722 deaths and 864,032 life years lost in Canada in 2010.1 Although the causes of unhealthy diet are complex, unhealthy eating habits start early in life, and unhealthy food and beverage marketing to children is consistently associated with unhealthy dietary behaviours and childhood obesity. Although there have been recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations urging countries to restrict such marketing to children as a population strategy to improve diet, the food industry continues to direct millions of marketing dollars to increase the sales and consumption of the very foods that contribute to disease burden. While many countries have heeded the WHO recommendations, in Canada, outside of Quebec, the food industry largely self-regulates its marketing of unhealthy food to children, with no government monitoring or oversight. The result is that Canadian children are extensively exposed to marketing of unhealthy food products that would not be allowed in several other countries. Should Canadian internists accept that

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 844-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eden Sebbag ◽  
Renaud Felten ◽  
Flora Sagez ◽  
Jean Sibilia ◽  
Hervé Devilliers ◽  
...  

BackgroundMusculoskeletal (MSK) diseases are expected to have a growing impact worldwide.ObjectiveTo analyse the worldwide burden of MSK diseases from 2000 to 2015.MethodsDisability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which combines the years of life lost (YLLs) and the years lived with disability (YLDs), were extracted for 183 countries from the WHO Global Health Estimates Database. We analysed the median proportion of DALYS, YLLs and YLDs for MSK diseases (ICD-10: M00–M99) among the 23 WHO categories of diseases. Mixed models were built to assess temporal changes.ResultsWorldwide, the total number of MSK DALYs increased significantly from 80,225,634.6 in 2000 to 107,885,832.6 in 2015 (p < 0.001), with the total number of MSK YLDs increasing from 77,377,709.4 to 103,817,908.4 (p = 0.0008) and MSK diseases being the second cause of YLDs worldwide. YLLs due to MSK diseases increased from 2,847,925.2 to 4,067,924.2 (p = 0.03). In 2015, the median proportion of DALYs attributed to MSK diseases was 6.66% (IQR: 5.30 – 7.88) in Europe versus 4.66% (3.98 – 5.59) in the Americas (p < 0.0001 vs Europe), 4.17% (3.14 – 6.25) in Asia (p < 0.0001), 4.14% (2.65 – 5.57) in Oceania (p = 0.0008) and 1.33% (1.03 – 1.92) in Africa (p < 0.0001). We observed a significant correlation (r = 0.85, p < 0.0001) between the proportion of MSK DALYs and the gross domestic product per capita for the year 2015.ConclusionsThe burden of MSK diseases increased significantly between 2000 and 2015 and is high in Europe. These results are crucial to health professionals and policy makers to implement future health plan adjustments for MSK diseases.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110181
Author(s):  
Abbas Askari-Nodoushan ◽  
Maryam Sabbaghchi ◽  
Masoud Mohammadi ◽  
Maryam Askari

Aim One approach to measure the demographic impacts of death is to examine the number of lost years of life. The present paper aims to estimate the “Years of Lost Life” (YLL) due to the main causes of death in Yazd province of Iran. Method The present study is an epidemiological examination for which the statistical population included all the death incidents in Yazd province (excluding stillbirth cases) over two time periods of 2011 and 2016 with a 5-year distance. The required data were obtained based on the Comprehensive System of Mortality Registration maintained by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education; while the standard life expectancy data were based on the World Health Organization standards using standard life table, level 26 of the West model (Coale and Demeny) for Japanese men and women. The standard YLL was calculated according to the WHO standard using a 0.03 relaxation rate for the future time and weighting coefficient for various ages and life years through the formula using the Microsoft Excel software. Results The findings of the present study suggest that two main causes of YLL in Yazd province during the year of 2011 were cardiovascular difficulties with the rates of 31.6 per 1000 persons for women and 27.1 per 1000 persons for men, and cancers with the rates of 14.9 per 1000 persons for women and 16.2 per 1000 persons for men. While the above numbers in 2016 were, respectively 22.5 per 1000 persons for women and 25.5 per 1000 persons for men due to cardiovascular difficulties; and 18 per 1000 persons for women and 15.5/1000 for men due to various types of cancers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that cardiovascular diseases and cancers are the main factors leading to Years of Lost Lifetime for the residents of Yazd province in Iran.


Author(s):  
Shahram Moradi ◽  
Ghobad Moradi ◽  
Bakhtiar Piroozi

Background: Calculating the burden of diseases is essential for their monitoring. The burden of cardiovascular diseases in Kurdistan Province has not been reported. This study aimed at calculating the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the Kurdistan Province from 2011 through 2017. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, incidence data were extracted from registration systems. The methods of the World Health Organization (WHO) were employed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of cardiovascular diseases in the Kurdistan Province. DALYs were calculated by summing the years of life lost (YLLs) and the years of life lived with disability (YLDs) for sex, age group, and year. Results: The burden of cardiovascular diseases increased from 18569.1 DALYs in 2011 to 34929.8 DALYs in 2017. The highest increase and the largest decrease in DALY according to the all age-standardized DALYs index were related to acute myocardial infarction and heart failure in women, respectively. The highest DALYs in both sexes were in the age group of over 80 years. Conclusion: The burden of cardiovascular diseases is increasing in the Iranian province of Kurdistan. It is, therefore, essential to implement appropriate and adequate interventions such as lifestyle modification, extensive screening, public education promotion, and operational plan development. We hope our results will aid decision-makers in performing urgent interventions.


Author(s):  
Katherine Cullerton ◽  
Jean Adams ◽  
Martin White

The issue of public health and policy communities engaging with food sector companies has long caused tension and debate. Ralston and colleagues’ article ‘Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool’ further examines this issue. They found widespread food industry opposition, not just to the details of the World Health Organization (WHO) tool, but to the very idea of it. In this commentary we reflect on this finding and the arguments for and against interacting with the food industry during different stages of the policy process. While involving the food industry in certain aspects of the policy process without favouring their business goals may seem like an intractable problem, we believe there are opportunities for progress that do not compromise our values as public health professionals. We suggest three key steps to making progress.


Author(s):  
Yuni Kurniati Yuni Kurniati

ABSTRACT   According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every two minutes a woman dies of cervical cancer in develoving countries. In Indonesia, new cases of cervical cancer is 40-45 cases of day. It is estimated every hour, a women died of cervical center. At the general hospital center Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang, the incidence of women who had cervical cancer incidence year 2011 women who had cervical cancer incidence are 34 people (48,2%). The following factors increase the chance of cervical cancer in women is infection of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), sexsual behavior, family history of cervical cancer, age, mechanism of how oral contraceptives, smoking, income or socioeconomic status, race , unhealthy diet, the cell abnormal, parity, use of the drug DES (Dietilsbestrol), and birth control pills. The purpose of this study is known of adolescents about cervical cancer in SMA Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang year 2016. This study used Analytic Survey with Cross Sectional approach. The population in this study were all young women students in SMA Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang with the number of 171 respondents. The results showed there were 171 respondents (37.5%) of respondents were knowledgeable, and (62.52%) of respondents who are knowledgeable unfavorable. These results indicate that knowledgeable either less than those less knowledgeable in both the SMA Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang Year 2016. From these results, it is expected that more teens can know about cervical cancer so that it can add a lot of insight and knowledge.     ABSTRAK   Menurut data World Health Organization (WHO), setiap dua menit wanita meninggal dunia karena kanker serviks dinegara berkembang. Di Indonesia, kasus baru kanker serviks 40-45 kasus perhari. Di perkirakan setiap satu jam, seorang perempuan meninggal dunia karena kanker serviks. Di rumah sakit umum pusat Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang, angka kejadian ibu yang mengalami kanker serviks pada tahun 2011 ibu yang mengalami kejadian kanker serviks terdapat 34 orang (48,2%). Faktor-faktor berikut meningkat kan peluang kanker serviks pada wanita yaitu infeksi Human Papiloma virus (HPV), perilaku seks, riwayat keluarga kanker serviks, umur ,mekanisme bagaimana kontrasepsi peroral, merokok, pendapatan atau status social ekonomi, ras, diet tidak sehat, adanya sel abnormal, paritas, menggunakan obat DES (Dietilsbestrol),dan pil KB. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah Diketahuinya pengetahuan remaja tentang Ca Cerviks di SMA Negeri Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang Tahun 2016. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survey  analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah semua siswi remaja putri di SMA Negeri Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang dengan jumlah 171 responden.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan dari 171 responden terdapat(37.5 %) responden yang berpengetahuan baik, dan (62.52  %) responden yang berpengetahuan kurang baik. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa yang berpengetahuan baik lebih sedikit dibandingkan dengan  yang berpengetahuan kurang baik di SMA Negeri Tebing Tinggi Empat Lawang Tahun 2016. Dari hasil penelitian ini, Diharapkan remaja bisa lebih banyak mengetahui tentang caserviks sehingga dapat menambah banyak wawasan dan pengetahuan.    


Author(s):  
Zubin Bhagwagar ◽  
George R. Heninger

Major depressive disorder is a serious, recurrent illness which levies a crippling toll on individuals, families, and society in general. The importance of depression as a major public health problem is emphasized by findings from the World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease survey in showing that in 1990 it was the fourth largest cause of burden of disease (i.e. years of life lost due either to premature mortality or to years lived with a disability). It has been estimated that by the year 2020 it is expected to be the second largest cause of burden of disease. Depression is underdiagnosed and frequently under-treated, and depressed individuals have a much higher risk for suicide. The primary treatment for depression involves the use of antidepressant drugs, and it is therefore important that clinicians become familiar with and adept in utilizing this important group of compounds. Although primarily used for the treatment of depression, drugs within this category also have a number of other important uses. A thorough understanding of the pharmacology of antidepressants will aid the clinician in the selective use of these drugs for patients with depression as well as patients with a number of other disorders.


Biomedicines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Rehm ◽  
Kevin D. Shield

Alcohol use is a major risk factor for burden of mortality and morbidity. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are important disease outcomes caused by alcohol use. We will describe the global mortality and burden of disease in disability-adjusted life years for ALD and AUDs, based on data from the comparative risk assessment of the World Health Organization for 2016. AUDs have a limited impact on mortality in this assessment, since alcohol poisonings are almost the only disease category directly attributable to AUDs; most other alcohol-related deaths are indirect, and the cause which directly led to the death, such as liver cirrhosis, is the one recorded on the death certificate. Burden of disease for AUDs is thus mainly due to disability resulting from alcohol use. In contrast to AUDs, ALD is one of the major lethal outcomes of alcohol use, and burden of disease is mainly due to (premature) years of life lost. Many of the negative outcomes attributable to both AUDs and ALD are due to their interactions with other factors, most notably economic wealth. To avoid alcohol-attributable morbidity and mortality, measures should be taken to reduce the AUDs and ALD burden globally, especially among the poor.


Author(s):  
Charlene Elliott ◽  
Natalie Scime

Marketing unhealthy food and beverages to children is a pervasive problem despite the negative impact it has on children’s taste preferences, eating habits and health. In an effort to mitigate this influence on Canadian children, Health Canada has developed a nutrient profile model with two options for national implementation. This study examined the application of Health Canada’s proposed model to 374 child-targeted supermarket products collected in Calgary, AB, Canada and compared this with two international nutrient profile models. Products were classified as permitted or not permitted for marketing to children using the Health Canada model (Option 1 and Option 2), the WHO Regional Office for Europe model, and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) model. Results were summarized using descriptive statistics. Overall, Health Canada’s Option 1 was the most stringent, permitting only 2.7% of products to be marketed to children, followed by PAHO (7.0%), WHO (11.8%), and Health Canada’s Option 2 (28.6%). Across all models, six products (1.6%) were universally permitted, and nearly 60% of products were universally not permitted on the basis of nutritional quality. Such differences in classification have significant policy and health-related consequences, given that different foods will be framed as “acceptable” for marketing to children—and understood as more or less healthy—depending on the model used.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Áurea Gabriel ◽  
Ana Valério-Bolas ◽  
Joana Palma-Marques ◽  
Patrícia Mourata-Gonçalves ◽  
Pedro Ruas ◽  
...  

This review is aimed at providing a comprehensive outline of the immune response displayed against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the more common zoonotic infection caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Although of polymorphic clinical presentation, classically CL is characterized by leishmaniotic lesions on the face and extremities of the patients, which can be ulcerative, and even after healing can lead to permanent injuries and disfigurement, affecting significantly their psychological, social, and economic well-being. According a report released by the World Health Organization, the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to leishmaniasis are close to 2.4 million, annually there are 1.0–1.5 million new cases of CL, and a numerous population is at risk in the endemic areas. Despite its increasing worldwide incidence, it is one of the so-called neglected tropical diseases. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of the existing knowledge of the host innate and acquired immune response to cutaneous species of Leishmania. The use of animal models and of in vitro studies has improved the understanding of parasite-host interplay and the complexity of immune mechanisms involved. The importance of diagnosis accuracy associated with effective patient management in CL reduction is highlighted. However, the multiple factors involved in CL epizoology associated with the unavailability of vaccines or drugs to prevent infection make difficult to formulate an effective strategy for CL control.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Dobrovolskij

Abstract Background Increases in the cost of food often leads to changes in the quantity and type of foods that are purchased. World Health Organization estimates that today’s global food prices rose to the highest level. Numerous research results show that the effect of the conversion of national currencies to the euro on the growth of consumer prices in euro area countries was generally mild and one-off. The aim - to explore the eating habits in 2019 of the Lithuanian population and compare it with results of an eating habits research which was made before the joining euro zone in 2013. Methods The sample under the survey included 1007 of the Lithuania’s population. The interviewing under a questionnaire was carried out in March 2019 using the questionnaire developed for this purpose. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program package. The results were compared with nutritional habits of the survey done in 2013. Results The results showed that only one-fifth of the Lithuanian adult population thinks about food choices for health benefits - 22 % (in 2013 - 21 %). Food choice is affected by the taste - 37 % (in 2013 - 28%), to a lesser extent - the food price, which represents 24 % (in 2013 - 37%). 67% of the Lithuanian population (in 2013 - 43%) do not always eat at the same time. 59% (in 2013 - 59%) of the adult population eats three times a day. The majority - 98% (in 2013 - 92.9%) of the respondents had a snack between main meals. It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables every day, but this recommendation is shared by 55% (in 2013 - 40%). The milk and milk products are used each day by 51% (37% in 2013) of the population. The majority - 42% (in 2013 - 82%) of adult Lithuanian population most frequently used vegetable oil. Conclusions More people started to choose food by taste, and a decreased number of those who choose by price. There is increased number of people who eat fresh vegetables every day and decreased number of people who use vegetable oil. Key messages There are differents in nutrition habits among Lithuania population before and after joining Eurozone. The study showed the impact of joining the Eurozone on the diet of the population.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document